Tag: free birth

In my years of childbirth research I have come to the understanding that there are three chosen settings for childbirth; hospital, birth center, and home. The couple has a choice of two caregivers, physician or midwife. They can choose to bring in a labor coach or doula, to assist either the physician or midwife. The couple can decide upon having a drug or drug free birth. Today we can offer excellent support for couples choosing a drug free birth.

Many women who did choose an epidural during their first birth are making different choices for their second child. Women are choosing not to have an epidural the second time for the following reasons:

1. The mothers don’t like the feeling of being drugged, or out of it, and do not like the feeling of being unable to move during labor.

2. Mothers are finding that an epidural may not control the pain as promised.

3. Mothers are realizing that the epidural does reach the baby by crossing the placenta, just as any drugs or alcohol will, causing strong narcotics to be passed through the mother across the yet undeveloped blood/brain barrier affecting the brain and cardiac function of their baby.

5. Mothers are beginning to understand that an epidural most always slows down or stops labor causing an epidural birth to be at greater risk for a cesarean section as additional drugs are used to speed up the labor, often causing stress in the baby.

4. Mothers are finding that babies who are drugged are difficult to breastfeed as the epidural drugs will remain in the baby’s system for days after the birth inhibiting the baby’s ability to breastfeed and bond with the mother in the first critical bonding and attaching days after birth.

6. A quicker recovery of the mother from childbirth and a feeling of empowerment after the birth.

7. More bonding and attachment occurring after birth.

8. Breastfeeding successful with the awake and alert drug free baby.

In my research I look at the studies and talk to women about their experiences. This 21st century generation has many more decisions to make than our grandmothers and mothers had to make. It is up to women as consumers to do their research and make sure they are aware of the facts that will help them to make the best of these life-altering decisions during childbirth.

Planning a drug free birth, whether a quiet birth at home, in a birth center or a hospital, will most likely give you the best results for a healthy baby and mother.